Sheet metal sink and the like



Nov. 24, 1942. H.- M. HECKATHORN 1 3 SHEET METAL SINK AND THE LIKE 'Filed July 7, 1941 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 fig. 7 10 fiarqMfik/Zalfiam 1942- H. M. HECKATHORN I SHEET METAL S INK AND THE LIKE Filed July 7, 1941 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Nov. 24, 1942 SHEET META'L SINK AND THE LIKE Harry M. Heckathorn, Warren, Ohio, assignor, by mesne assignments, to Steel Plumbing Wares, Inc., Detroit, Mich., a corporation of Michigan Application July 7, 1941, Serial No. 401,308

Claims.

My invention relates to sheet metal sinks and the like, and more particularly to enamel coated sheet metal sinks and the like, such as set forth in United States Patent No. 2,045,969, issued June 30, 1936, to Jacques Stanitz, for Sink, washbasin, and the like.

Such sheet metal sinks are formed from and in a single piece of sheet or plate metal, and then have applied thereto by usual methods a protective coating preferably of vitreous enamel.

The present invention relates still more particularly to such a sink and the like including a bowl, a splash back, and at least one drainboard at one side of the bowl, although frequently a drainboard is provided at each side of the bowl. Thesplash back extends the full length of the bowl and the drainboard or drainboards at the side or sides of the bowl, and a rolled rim extends around the ends and front of the bowl and drainboard or ,drainboards integrally from the splash back, and the rolled rim may extend downwardly in a skirt ,or apron. t

Particularly in the case of such an enamel coated sheet metal sink including a bowl, a splash back, asingle drainboard at one side of the bowl, and a rolled rim for the drainboard and bowl, it has been found that: the sheet metal structure may be formed and the vitreous enamel coating may be applied to the same to meet the most rigorous manufacturing standards and meet the most careful inspection in the factory; thesink may be packed for shipping in containers specially designedfor the purpose by experienced container manufacturers; and yet after shipment, either immediately upon unpacking, or sometimes a relatively short time after installation, the enamel coating will craze and chip at the top of the rear curved bowl corner joining with the drainboard. V

Investigation determined that the cause of this enamel crazing and chipping could'not be directly attributed to the shippers, and the manufacturers of the containers in which the sinks were shipped made extended but unsuccessful eiforts to produce a container which would solve the problem and enable the shipping of such enamel coated sinks and the like without the crazing and chipping of the enamel at the top of the curved rear bowl corner which joins the drainboard.

The objects of the present invention include the provision of an improved sheet metal sink and the'like, preferably formed in a single piece of sheet metal, and including a bowl, a splash back, a drainboard at one side or both sides of the bowl, and a rolled rim for the drainboard and bowl, and

' may be ments. 1

which includes further parts associated withth'e foregoing parts in such manner as'to prevent crazing and chipping of the subsequently applied enamel coating particularly at the top of the rear bowl corner or corners which joins orjoin the drainboard, as the result of shipping the sink'and the like in usual containers. I

Further objects of the present invention include the provision of such an improved enamel coated sheet metal sink'and the like, whichis'o'f simplified construction and arrangement,and is adapted formanufaeture without requiring any changes in the methods of manufacturing the one piece sheet'metal structure or carrying out the preferably vitreous enameling operation, 1 and which reduces rejection during manufacture after the enameling operation due to'warpage.

Further objects of the presentinvention include the provision of such an improved enamel coated sheet met-a1 sink and the like whichis so constructed and arranged as to enable it to be installed according to the usual methods of installing an enamel coated sheet metal sink and the like. j

The foregoing and other objects areattained by the sheet metal sinks and the like, constructions, parts, combinations, and sub-combinations comprising the present invention, the nature of which is set forth in the following general statement, preferred embodiments of which'are set forth in the following description, and which are particularly and distinctly pointed out and set forth in the appended claims forming part hereof.

The nature of the improved sheet metal sink and the like of the present invention may .be stated in general terms as including in a single drainboard sink and the like, preferably formed in a single piece of sheet or plate metal, a bowl, a splash back, and a drainboard at one side of the bowl, and at the underside of the rear corner of the bowl joining the drainboard adjacent the splash back, one or more reinforcing members, preferably of formed sheet metal, .secured as by spot welding at least tov the drainboard and preferably both to the drainboard'and the bowl, and a preferably vitreous enamel coating for the entiresheet metal structure. 1

In a double drainboard sink and the like, there may be a drainboard at each side of the bowl, and each rear corner of the bowl joining a drainboard provided with the improved reinforce- By way of example, several embodiments of the improved sheet metal sink and the like of the present invention are illustrated in the accompanying drawings forming part hereof, in which Figure 1 is a top plan view of a single drainboard sink including one embodiment of the present improvements, portions being broken away;

Fig. 2, a front elevation view thereof with portions broken away and shown in section;

Fig. 3, an end elevation view thereof with portions broken away and shown in section;-

Fig. 4, an isometric view thereof, the sink being turned upside down for more clearly showing the present improvements;

Fig. 5, a view similar to Fig. 4, showing a double drainboard sink including a second embodiment of the present improvements, the nearer drainboard being shown in transverse section; and

Fig. 6, a view similar to Fig. 5, showing another doubledrainboard sink including a third embodiment of the present improvements.

Similar numerals refer to similar parts throughout the several views.

In Figs. 1 to 4 inclusive, a single drainboard sink indicated generally by I is illustrated and includes one embodiment of the present improvements.

The single drainboard sink I0 includes a single piece of formed sheet or plate metal, including a bowl indicated by II, a single drainboard indicated by I2 at the right hand side of the bowl, as viewed from the front in the direction of the arrows in Fig. 1, an upright splash back indicated generally by I3, 2. rolled rim indicated generally by I4 extending around the ends and front of the drainboard and the bowl, and a ledge I4--I extending between the back of the bowl and drainboard and the splash back which is offset from the bowl, all preferably according to the construction set forth in said Stanitz U. S. Patent No. 2,045,969. The drainboard I2, the rolled rim I4 and the ledge I4I taken together, may be termed the sink top.

inner end 26 of the drainboard I2, would have the enamel coating thereof crazed or chipped upon unpacking or would develop a craze or chip soon after unpacking and frequently soon after installation. Similar but less frequent enamel crazing and chipping were experienced with double drainboard sinks.

In one container recommended and provided by a container manufacturer, the container generally was a rectangular box having a removable top, the box fitting the outer dimensions of the sink, with suflicient space for layers of corrugated paper fillers and supporting members and the like.

The bowl II includes a bottom wall I5 having I a drain opening I6 formed therein, a front wall I1, a back' wall I8, and side walls I9 and 20.

A front curved corner 2I extends between the front wall I! and the adjacent outer side wall I9 of the bowl.

bowl and the back wall I8 thereof. A rear curved corner 23 of the bowl extends between the rear wall I8 and the inner side wall 20 thereof.

the inner front wall I1 thereof.

The rear curved corner 23 joins at its upper curved end 25 with the inner end 26 of the drainboard and with the ledge I4-I.

The upper end of the inner bowl side wall 20 and the upper end of the frontcurved bowl corner 24 similarly join with the inner end 26 of the drainboard and with the rolled rim I4.

A rear curved corner 22 ex- 5 tends between the outer side wall I9 of the A front curved corner 24 extends between the inner side wall 20 of the bowl and' The upper ends of the front wall I1, the

front curved corner 2|, and the outer side wall I9 join with the rolled rim I4; and the upper end of the rear curved corner 22 and the upper end of the back wall I8 of the bowl join with the rolled rim I4 and the ledge I4-|.

In a great many instances, after shipping, an enamel coated sink structure as set forth in said Stanitz U. S. Patent No. 2,045,969, the upper end of the rear corner of the bowl in a single drainboard sink, corresponding to the upper end 25 of the curved corner 23 which joins the A partition was provided having an aperture fitting the outer dimensions of the bowl which depended through the aperture.

Other filling and supporting reinforcements of corrugated paper were supplied for the partition in an effort to ship the sink without damage.

Single drainboard enamel coated sheet metal sinks and the like, made according to said Stanitz U. S. Patent No. 2,045,969, and shipped in containers as above described, and in all other containers recommended for trial, were all subject more or less to the objectionable crazing and chipping of the enamel at the upper end of the rear bowl corner joining the drainboard.

It was thought possible that relative vibration might be induced between the corner 23 of the bowl and the sink top during shipping, and that this relative vibration might cause the enamel crazing and chipping.

It Was discovered that by maintaining the bowl corner 23 and the sink top rigid with respect to each other, that the objectionable crazing and chipping of the enamel coating during shipping was prevented.

In the sink I0, the means for maintaining the bowl corner 23 and the sink top rigid with respect to each other include a formed reinforcing strut indicated generally by 21 which is located on the underside of the sink I0, and which is curved to fit around the outer and underside of the corner 23 of the bowl and the outer and underside of the bowl inner wall 20 and the bowl back wall I8.

The reinforcing strut 21 is preferably made offormed sheet metal, and at its upper end is provided with angled feet 28 and 29, the foot 28 abutting the underside of the inner end 25 of the drainboard I2 and the angled foot 29 abuting-a portion 30,- which as shown isa downwardly protruding portion, of the ledge I4.-I.-

The lower ,end of the reinforcing strut 21 is provided with a flange 3| fitting the curve of the bowl corner 23, and the feet 28 and 29 and the curved flange 3| are secured respectively to the drainboard inner end 26, the ledge portion 30,-

and the bowl corner 23, preferably by spot welding.

The reinforcing strut 21 is secured to the bowl on the underside of the top and bowl of the sink prior to the application of the enamel coating, which is subsequently applied in the usual manner.

The single drainboard enamed coated sheet metal sink I0 including its reinforcing strut 21 may be shipped in a usual container, subject to the usual jars and vibrations of shipping, without producing the undesired crazing or chipping of the enamel coating at the upper end of the rear bowl corner 23 joining the drainboard I2.

In Fig. 5 is illustrated a double drainboard ments.

The double drainboard sink II includes, formed in a single piece of sheet or plate metal, a bowl indicated generally by III, drainboards indicated generally by H211 and H2b at the opposite sides of the bowl, an upright splash back indicated generally by I I3, a rolled rim indicated generally by H4 extending around the ends and front of the drainboards and the bowl, and a ledge H4I extending between the back ofthe bowl and drainboards and the splash back which is offset from the bowl, all preferably according to the construction set forth in said StanitzU. S. Patent No. 2,045,969. The drainboards HM and H21), the rolled rim H4, and the ledge IIl-I- taken together may be termed the sink top.

The bowl III includes a bottom wall H5, side walls H9 and I20, and a rear wall H8.

A curved rear corner I22 extends between the side wall H9 and the rear wall H8, and a curved rear corner I23 extends between the rear wall H8 and the side wall I211.

The drainboards H20, and H212 have inner ends 128a and I261) joining the upper end of the bowl side walls H9 and I28, respectively.

As shown, the ledge II l-l has portions I38a and I381), which as shown are downwardly protruding portions, the portion I381; being adjacent the corner I22 and the portion I301) being adjacent the corner I23.

In the sink III], the means for maintaining the rear bowl corners I22 and I23 and the sink top rigid with respect to each other include a plurality of reinforcing struts each indicated generally by I21, and each including at its upper end an angled foot I28 and at its lower end an angled flange I3I.

One of the struts I21 extends angularly between the underside of the inner end I2Bb of the drainboard H21) and the outer side of the bowl side wall I28 adjacent the bowl corner I23, and the foot I28 is secured to the drainboard end I261) preferably by spot welding, and the flange I 3| is secured to the bowl side wall I28 preferably by spot welding.

Similarly, one of the struts I21 extends angularly between the underside of the ledge portion I301) and the outer side of the bowl rear wall H8, adjacent the corner I 23, and its foot I28 and flange I3I are secured respectively to. the ledge portion I361) and the bowl rear wall H8, preferably by spot welding.

Similarly another of the struts I21 extends angularly between the underside of the ledge portion I380, and the bowl rear wall H8 adja cent the corner I22, and its foot I28 and flange I3I, are secured respectively to the ledge portion I301: and the outer side of the bowl rear wall H8, preferably by spot welding, and another strut I21 extends and is secured between the underside of theinner end I26a of the drainboard H2a and the bowl side wall H9.

After the one piece formation of the'sink HI and the struts I21 are secured to each other, the sink structure is then provided with the enamel coating in the usual manner.

In Fig. 6 is illustrated another double drainboard sink indicated generally by 2H) which includes a third embodiment of the present improvements.

The double drainboard sink 2H] includes a one piece sheet metal formation identical with generally by 2H and having rear curved coriiers 222-and 223,'drainboards indicated generally, by 2I2a and2I2b at opposite sides of the bowl 2I I, a splash'back 2I3 anda ledge 2I4I between the splash back and the bowl 2H, and a rolled rim 2 around the ends and front of the'drainboards and bowl. I r

The drainboards 2I2a and 2I2b, the rolled rim 2 I4 and the ledge 2 I4I taken together may otherwise be termed the sink top.

I In the sink 2I0, the means for maintaining the sink top rigid with respect to the rear bowl corners 222 and 223 include curved channel members indicated'generally by 221a and 2211). The channelmember 221a extends around the bowl corner 222 on the underside of the sink top and has a curved-web 232a secured preferably by spot welding to the underside of the drainboard 2I2a and the ledge 2I4I. The curved channel reinforcing member 22111 also includes extending from opposite sides of the curved web 232a, curved flanges 233a and 234a.

Similarly, the curved channel reinforcing member 2211) extends around the bowl corner 223 on the underside of the sink top and has a curved web 2321) secured preferably by spot welding to the underside of the drainboard 2I2b and the ledge 2I4I.

After the one piece formation of the sink 2H) and the reinforcing channels 221a and 2211) are secured together, the sink structure is then provided with the enamel coating in the usual manner.

Both the sinks I I0 and 2H) after shipping are free from the undesired crazing and chipping of the enamel coating at the upper ends of the rear bowl corners. 1

After experiments with a limited production had determined that the improved sinks I0 and I I0 and 2H) after shipping were free from the undesired crazing and chipping of the enamel coating at the upper ends of the rear bowl corner, regular production of the improved sinks was engaged in.

Previous to the use of the improved sink structures of the present invention, considerable rejection had been encountered after the enameling operation due to warpage resulting in imperfect enamel coatings.

The best production in one plant of applicants assignee through the enameling operation was 1100 sinks a day of one piece sheet metal sinks without the present improved reinforced construction.

By the use of the present improved sink structures, no difiiculty is now encountered in support ing the sinks in the enameling ovens, the sinks holding their shapes throughout the various heats.

This unexpected result enables a production of 1700-1800 properly enameled sinks having the improved structures in the same plant which previously could only produce 1100 properly enameled sinks of the prior construction.

In the foregoing description, certain terms have been used for brevity, clearness and understanding; but no unnecessary limitations are to be implied therefrom, or from the use of such words in the claims; and such terms are intended to be broadly construed as follows:

The word sink used herein and in the claims is intended to include sinks, washbasins, washbowls, and the like; the words sheet metal is intended to includesheetand" plate metal of the that of the sink H0, including 'a bowl indicated desired or necessary gauge; the words rolled rim are not intended to imply an arcuately shaped rim, since the rim may have any desired shape, such as illustrated, which is not entirely arcuate, and may terminate with either a shallow skirt as illustrated, or a deep skirt; and the words enamel coated are intended to refer to and include coatings other than yitreous enamel coatings which may have similar characteristics to enamel coatings.

The embodiments of the present improvements illustrated and described herein are by way of example, and the scope of the present invention is not limited to the same or to the particular details thereof, but is commensurate with any and all novel subject matter contained herein which may at any time properly under the patent laws be set forth in the claims hereof or originating herein, and the elements of any such claims are intended to include their structural or functional equivalents.

I claim:

1. In an enamel coated sheet metal sink and the like, a sink top, a bowl depending in one direction from the sink top, and a rear splash back extending in an opposite direction from the sink top, the sink top including a drainboard at one side of the bowl, and the bowl including a rear curved corner having its upper end joining the drainboard, and reinforcing means secured to the sink top adjacent to said rear curved corner at opposite sides thereof for maintaining the sink top and the rear curved bowl corner rigid with respect to each other.

2. In an enamel coated sheet metal sink and the like, a sink top, a bowl depending in one direction from the sink top, and a rear splash back extending in an opposite direction from the sink top, the sink top including a drainboard at one side of the bowl, and the bowl including a rear curved corner having its upper end joining the drainboard, and reinforcing means secured at said rear curved corner to the sink top and the bowl for maintaining the sink top and the rear curved bowl corner rigid with respect to each other.

3. In an enamel coated sheet metal sink and the like, a sink top, a bowl depending in one di rection from the sink top, and a rear splash back extending in an opposite direction from the sink top, the sink top including a drainboard at one side of the bowl, and the bowl including a rear curved corner having its upper end joining the drainboard, and reinforcing means for maintaining the sink top and the rear curved bowl corner rigid with respect to each other, the reinforcing means including a pair of struts extending between the underside of the sink top and the outside of the bowl adjacent and on opposite sides of the rear corner, each strut having an end foot abutting and being secured to the underside of the sink top and a flange abutting and being secured to the bowl. 7 l

4. In an enamel coated sheet metal sink and the like, a sink top, a bowl depending in one direction from the sink top, and a rear splash back extending in an opposite direction from the sink top, the sink top including a drainboard at one side of the bowl, and the bowl including a rear curved corner having its upper end joining the drainboard, and reinforcing means for maintainin the sinktop and the rear curved bowl corner rigid with respect to each other, the reinforcing means including a curved strut extending around the rear-curved corner of the bowl on the outside thereof beneath the sink top, the strut having a plurality of feet abutting and being secured at opposite sides of said rear curved corner to the underside of the sink top, and a curved flange coextensive with said strut abutting and being secured to the outside of the rear curved bowl corner.

5. In an enamel coated sheet metal sink and the like, a sink top, and a bowl depending in one direction from the sink top, the sink top including a drainboard at one side of the bowl, and the bowl including a curved corner having its upper end joining the drainboard, and reinforcing means for maintaining the sink top and the curved bowl corner rigid with respect to each other, the

reinforcing means including a pair of struts extending between the underside of the sink top and the outside of the bowl adjacent and on opposite sides of the corner, each strut having an end foot abutting and being secured to the underside of the sink top and a flange abutting and being secured to the bowl.

6. In an enamel coated sheet metal sink and the like, a sink top, and a bowl depending in one direction from the sink top, the sink top including a drainboard at one side of the bowl, and the bowl including a curved corner having its upper end joining the drainboard, and reinforcing means including a curved strut extending around the curved corner of the bowl on the outside thereof beneath the sink top, the strut having a plurality of feet abutting and being secured at opposite sides of said curved corner to the un- 1 derside of the sink top, and a curved flange coextensive with said strut abutting and being secured to the outside of the curved bowl corner.

7 In an enamel coated sheet metal sink and the like, a sink top, a bowl depending in one direc tion from the sink top, and a rear splash back extending in an opposite direction from the sink top, the sink top including a drainboard at one side of the bowhand the bowl including a rear curved corner having its upper end joining the drainboard, the sink top and the bowl and the splash back being formed in a single piece of sheet metal, and reinforcing means adjacent said rear curved corner and secured to the sink top at opposite sides of said curved corner for maintaining the sink top and the rear curved bowl corner rigid with respect to each other.

8. In an enamel coated sheet metal sink and the like, a sink top, a bowl depending in one direction from the sink top, and a rear splash back extending in an opposite direction from the sink top, the sink top including a drainboard at one side of the bowl, and the bowl including a rear curved corner having its upper end joining the drainboard, the sink top and the bowl and the splash back being formed in a single piece of sheet metal, and form-ed sheet metal reinforcing strut means secured at said rear curved corner to the sink top and the bowl for maintaining the sink top and the rear curved bowl corner rigid with respect to each other.

9. In an enamel coated sheet metal sink and the like, a sink top, and a bowl depending in one direction from the sink top, the sink top including a drainboard at one side of the bowl, and the bowl including a curved corner having its upper end joining the drainboard, the sink top and the bowl being formed in a single piece of sheet metal, and formed sheet metal reinforcing means adjacent said curved corner and secured to the sink top at opposite sides of said curved corner for maintaining the sink top and the curved bowl corner rigid with respect to each other.

10. In an enamel coated sheet metal sink and the like, a sink top, and a bowl depending in one direction from the sink top, the sink top including a drainboard at one side of the bowl, and the bowl including a curved comer having its upper end joining the drainboard, the sink top and the bowl being formed in a single piece of sheet metal, and formed sheet metal reinforcing means secured at said curved corner to the sink top and the bowl for maintaining the sink top and the curved bowl corner rigid with respect to each other.

HARRY M. HECKATHORN. 

